The Childrens Shelter

PROVIDE A SAFE TRAUMA FOCUSED PLACE FOR CHILDREN IN CRISIS.

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SOLUTIONSHOPE CENTER: THE HARVEY E. NAJIM HOPE CENTER IS AN OUTPATIENT MENTAL HEALTH CLINIC PROVIDING A CONTINUUM OF TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE FOR CHILDREN IN BEXAR COUNTY WHO ARE SUFFERING TRAUMATIC AND EMOTIONAL DISORDERS BECAUSE OF PROLONGED ABUSE, NEGLECT OR ABANDONMENT. THE HOPE CENTER OFFERS ACCESSIBLE, SPECIALIZED PROGRAMS BY LICENSED COUNSELORS, PSYCHIATRISTS, AND SOCIAL WORKERS IN A LOVING, SAFE ENVIRONMENT.

DIRECT CARE SERVICESFAMILY TAPESTRY: EFFECTIVE JUNE 30, 2021, THE BEXAR COUNTY SINGLE SOURCE CONTINUUM CONTRACT (SSCC) FROM THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES (DFPS) TO IMPLEMENT COMMUNITY BASED CARE IN REGION 8A-BEXAR COUNTY THAT HAD BEEN AWARDED TO THE CHILDREN'S SHELTER WAS TERMINATED. THE PROGRAM, KNOWN AS FAMILY TAPESTRY, WAS A RESULT OF THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE'S DIRECTIVE IN 2017 FOR DFPS TO EXPAND THE COMMUNITY'S ROLE TO MEET THE CHALLENGES OF SERVING CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE UNDER FOSTER CARE REDESIGN. COMMUNITY BASED CARE IS A NEW WAY OF PROVIDING FOSTER CARE AND CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES. IT IS A COMMUNITY-BASED APPROACH TO MEETING THE INDIVIDUAL AND UNIQUE NEEDS OF CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES, WITHIN A GEOGRAPHIC SERVICE AREA. EMERGENCY SHELTER: THE WHATABURGER CENTER FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH PROVIDED TEMPORARY RESIDENTIAL CARE FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH UP TO AGE 17, AND YOUNG ADULTS UP TO AGE 22 IN A THERAPEUTIC 20-BED FACILITY WITH ROUND-THE-CLOCK CARE. CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVED BY THE EMERGENCY SHELTER MAY HAVE BEEN DISCHARGED FROM A PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL, RELEASED FROM JUVENILE DETENTION, HAD EMOTIONAL DISORDERS AND CHALLENGING BEHAVIORS, AND COMPLEX MEDICAL NEEDS. THE EMERGENCY SHELTER WAS A SECOND FACILITY, ZACHRY COTTAGE, WHICH WAS A 66-BED EMERGENCY SHELTER THAT PROVIDED 24-HOUR CARE FOR CHILDREN, AGES BIRTH TO 16 YEARS OLD. THE CHILDREN RECEIVED COMPLETE MEDICAL SERVICES, COUNSELING, THERAPY, EDUCATION, AND PARTICIPATED IN RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES. THE SHELTER SHUT DOWN THE WHATABURGER CENTER FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND THE ZACHRY COTTAGE EFFECTIVE APRIL 26, 2021.

CHILD WELFARE SOLUTIONSFOSTER CARE: THE SHELTER IS LICENSED BY, AND RECEIVES FUNDING FROM, THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES AS A CHILD PLACING AGENCY. THE CHILDREN'S SHELTER OFFERS AND COORDINATES FOSTER FAMILY SERVICES, PARTNERING WITH COUPLES AND INDIVIDUALS WHO CAN PROVIDE TEMPORARY CARE FOR CHILDREN REMOVED FROM THEIR BIRTH FAMILIES DUE TO ABUSE, NEGLECT, OR ABANDONMENT. THE SHELTER PROVIDES THE REQUIRED TRAINING AND LICENSING FOR PROSPECTIVE FOSTER PARENTS AND INDIVIDUALS INTERESTED IN FOSTER CARE. THE SHELTER ALSO PROVIDES THE SAME SERVICES FOR KINSHIP HOMES, HOMES PROVIDING FULL-TIME CARE, NURTURING AND PROTECTION OF CHILDREN BY RELATIVES OR SIGNIFICANT ADULTS.ADOPTION: THE SHELTER RECRUITS AND TRAINS ADOPTIVE PARENTS. THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES SUPPORT TO CHILDREN AND ADOPTIVE FAMILIES DURING EVERY PHASE OF THE ADOPTION PROCESS. SUPPORT INCLUDES REGULAR SHELTER VISITS, FACILITATION OF A SUPPORT GROUP THAT MEETS REGULARLY, AND A PUBLISHED NEWSLETTER WITH HELPFUL INFORMATION.

FAMILY STRENGTHENING AND PREVENTION SERVICESNURSE FAMILY PARTNERSHIP: THE NURSE-FAMILY PARTNERSHIP IS AN EVIDENCE-BASED VOLUNTARY PREVENTION PROGRAM PROVIDING NURSE SHELTER VISITATION SERVICES TO ANY WOMAN WHO IS LOW INCOME AND PREGNANT WITH HER FIRST CHILD. REGISTERED NURSES PROVIDE SUPPORT, EDUCATION, AND COUNSELING ON HEALTH, BEHAVIORAL, AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY ISSUES THROUGHOUT PREGNANCY, INFANCY, AND CONTINUING UNTIL THE CHILD REACHES THE AGE OF TWO.COMPADRE Y COMPADRE: COMPADRE Y COMPADRE IS A 15-WEEK PARENTING PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES MEN IN A FATHERHOOD ROLE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN VALUABLE, LIFE-CHANGING SKILLS AS FATHER, PROVIDER, TEACHER, AND HERO. WHILE MOST PARTICIPANTS ARE REFERRED TO THE PROGRAM FROM CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES OR THE COURT SYSTEM, SOME PARTICIPATE VOLUNTARILY SEEKING THE CHANCE TO BECOME A STRONGER AND MORE NURTURING PARENT. COMPADRE Y COMPADRE WAS FOUNDED IN FY 09 DUE TO LACK OF AVAILABLE SERVICES THAT FOCUSED ON MALE CAREGIVERS. PROGRAMMING WAS TAILORED FOR ANY MALE IN A CAREGIVING ROLE, TAUGHT BY AN ALL-MALE STAFF. AFTER THE 15-WEEK CLASS IS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED, ALL GRADUATES HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO REGISTER FOR AN ADDITIONAL 10-WEEK CLASS TO BECOME A COMPADRE MENTOR.IPARENT: IPARENT SA IS A COMPREHENSIVE PARENTING AND FAMILY STRENGTHENING PROGRAM WITH IMMEDIATE AND LONG-TERM OUTCOMES THAT REDUCE CHILD MALTREATMENT, BOLSTER FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS, AND ECONOMIC STABILITY. HIGHLY TRAINED AND QUALIFIED PARENT EDUCATORS WORK WITH FAMILIES TO FACILITATE EVIDENCE-BASED PARENT EDUCATION CURRICULA TO HELP IDENTIFY STRENGTHS, DEVELOP GOALS, AND BUILD SELF-SUFFICIENCY. THE PROGRAM ALSO PROVIDES CASE MANAGEMENT, SHORT TERM RESPITE, GROUP BASED AND LONG-TERM ASSISTANCE FOR YOUNG PREGNANT MOTHERS AND THEIR CHILDREN.